Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1887-06-02
LEWISTON SUBMERGED.
According to the statements of re

According to the statements of resi-
dents 10 1862 the water on Tuesday
evening was at a stage full eighteen
inches higher than in 1862. The guage
mark was upon the north bank of the
river on the premises of John Silcott.
Various marks had been made on the
south side but all had been more or less
disturbed by changes in the grading OF
the streets and lots The greater por-
ton of the town north Of Main street
became seriously inundated by the action
of the water in surrounding and entering
cellars and houses, and flooding gardens,
washing OF fences, moving houses from
their foundations and carrying them off
in,o the main stream and down the cur
rent in spite of all the exertions of the
inhabitants with all the assistance they
could command. Dykes which had been
built up and which were fully expected
to protect their property gave way and
numerous families which had no previous
warning were suddenly subjected to the
rush Of water into their houses and
cellars, even before they had time to
save their f.rniture and house hold goods
in all cases from the watery element.
Confident predictions Of the most san.
guine weather and high water prophets,
proved Of no avail. The water still rose
and kept rising till the prophets seemed
to give up in despair aud were ready to
say they knew nothing about high water
at Lewiston in former years. On Wed
nesday morning a great many were of
the opinion that the worst was over
because the weather was n little cooler
and the water had fallen in the Clear
water about four inches although the
water in tho Snake was still on the rise
slowly. The principal wells and cellars
north Of Main street were all filed
Families who were driven out found
shelter and safety only with their neigh.
bors and friends as tenement rooms 10
the town had been very scarce for some
time previous to the food. The Snake
was still swelling at 9 a. M. yesterday.
The Clearwater had fallen about eight
inches at the upper end Of the Lewiston
fat, but in Second street in Lewiston
only about four inches, the back water
Of the Snake keeping it up. The mail
rom Moscow was crossed in skiff on
Tuesday night, and the letter mail from
Dayton was crossed on Wednesday
morning. Geo. Christio's new house
was carried from its foundation unbroken
and 1oated down into and down the
Snake and pursued by several men with
small boats and ropes in the hope of
saving it by landing it below, but all
efforts failed. Several other small houses
were washed into the stream and broker
10 pieces. There is no means OF accur.
ately estimating the damage to Lewiston
alone done within "a hours, but may say
and not without reason that it will not
fall below 100000, and most Of it falls
upon poor families. 1t was the greatest
damage ever done hy high water in
Lewiston. Later. AT 1915 a. M, the
steamboat wharf and warehouse on
Snake river was raised from its founda
tion and moved off bown the river in
grand style past the town, keeping as
erect as when it was FIRST built. Two
safes were in small building attached
which also went with the main building.
one of tho safes was a 1900 FOUNDER
and the other smaller one. No money
or valuable papers in either When last
seen from this city they were still nov
ing Oft 10 an erect position and in their
grandeur They seemed fearful that
the steamer would not be able to 90, up
to Lewiston and they chose to 80 down
and meet the boat.
Potter, the biz pun If tho Jro;,,